ANGLICAN CHURCH GENERAL SYNOD.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3665, 13 April 1883, Page 3

ANGLICAN CHURCH GENERAL SYNOD.

The Synod resumed its sittings last afternoon, the Primate presiding. The committee appointed to consider the definition of " licensed clergy" in the statutes reported that the term, of necesssity, meant all clergymen in the diocese holding the Bishop's license.—The Bishop of Auckland trave notice of motion that the report be adopted. The committee appointed to consider flic subject recommended that ecclesiastical courts be constituted under the " Ecclesiastical Tribunals Statute, 1874."—Archdeacon Harris gave notice of the introduction of a bill on the subject. The Dean of Christchurch moved— " That leave bo giA-cn to bring in a, bill for amending clause 4 of Statute 15, being 'The Registration Statute, 1880.*" The Dean explained that the effect would bo to make it the duty of churchwardens to enter in their books the names of till members of the church Avho should be proved to ha\"e subscribed to the necessary declarations. This Avould, he thought, do away for the necessity for the bill introduced by Mr Clarke on the same subject.—The bill Avas read a first time, and the second reading Avas fixed for to-day. The Bishop of AA r aiapu moved for leave to bring- in a bill for the introduction of a statute to be entitled, "For the settlement in certain eases of matters affecting the Avell-being of the Church in any (aire."— The bill Avas read a first time, and the second reading fixed for to-day. The Dean of Christchurch moved, " That a select committee be appointed to examine the 'Ecclesiastical Offences Statute, 1874,' Avith the vicAV of reporting to the Synod Avhether any amendments in the same tire desirable. 2. That the committee consist of the Primate, the Bishop of Nelson, Archdcachon Harris, the Hon. Colonel Haultain, Mr A. J. Cotterill. Mr E. L. Holland, and themover."—The motions Avere carried. The Rev. R. A. Kerkham asked the President the following- question : " In the event of a Parochial District being constituted a parish by a Diocesan Synod, and the cure is declared to be A-acant, is the clergyman in charge, avlio is obliged to resign, to be dismissed forthwith AA-ithout notice or remuneration r"—The Primate replied that no provision for compensation or notice Avas contained in the statutes. Ho must therefore reply in the negatiA-c.—On tbe motion of Mr Pierce the answer of the Primate was ordered to be recorded on the minutes. Archdeacon Govett moved for leaA-c to bring in a bill to amend clause 4 and 5 of Statute 15. He explained that the effect Avould be to give female eommuicants votes at the election of parochial elections. —After ii brief discussion the motion was negatived. The Bishop of Auckland moved, —"That the Synod do take into consideration Report No. 1 of the Sessional Committee on the Reports of Trustees." The chief recommendations of the committee (Avhich referred only to Auckland) Avere that the £50 voted to the Diocese of AVaiapu be paid, the diocese hiwiiig raised the £150 on which the grant Avas conditional : that consent be given to make an addition of about au acre to St. Stephen's cemetery, Auckland; that Mr G. Hayter be allowed to occupy his cottage free of rent; and that the Synod do not agree to the proposal to allow the head-master of the Parncll Grammar School to occupy rent free, or at a nominal rent, the house occupied by him. The committee also recommended that £G0 be granted for the expenses of theological candidates; that £5 be A - oted to each Archdeacon toAvards tho expenses of his annual visitation ; and £40 toAvards the expenses of clergy attending the General Synod ; and that other small grants bo made. His Lordship explained at length the reasons for the various recommendations of the committee. —The Synod Avent into committee on the report, and after some discussion it Avas adopted Avithout alteration. Archdeacon Maunsell moved that £50 be A"oted to the repairs of Bishopscourt, Auckland, from the funds of the General Church Trustees.—The motion Avas carried. The Hon. J. B. A. Acland moA-ed alterations in the standing orders, to facilitate business—first readings of draft statutes to be taken first at the evening- sitting, suspended debates to be taken next. —The motion Avas agreed to. On the motion of the Bishop of Dunedin the Synod Avent into committee for the purpose of considering" the bill introduced by Mr DargaA-illc into the General Assembly to enable trustees for religious, charitable, or educational purposes, to form themselves into corporate bodies, and certain suggested amendments thereto.—A new clause enabling trustees to convey property to such bodies for Avhose benefit it had been devised was agreed to, and Avas numbered B.—The two schedules and the preamble Avere passed, and the Synod luiA-ing resumed, the bill Avas reported with amendments, and was tidopted. The Synod resumed in committee, the I debate on the definition of the term " communicant," and after some discussion it was agreed to report progress, the bill to be re-committed to-day to enable Rev. Mr Fitchctt to bring forward an amendment. Archdeacon Harper moved that steps be taken to present to the Legislature the petition adopted by the Synod, praying for grants in aid of denominational schools and religious education in the State Schools. — The Bishop of Dunedin moved an addition, to the effect that the Primate suggest, through the Bishops, to the members of the Church in till electoral districts, the desireableuess of presenting similar petitions, and urging" on their respective representatives in "parliament the importance of supporting by their votes the A'icAvs expressed in the petition. —On the clause being put its amended, Archdeacon Mules moved, —" That a tlurd clause be added to the petition which has already been presented to the Legislature praying that Local Committees be empowered to direct that specified portions of Holy Scripture should be subjects of iostructioa iv tlw schools

under their control, the rights of conscience being observed." — After _ a lengthy and animated discussion tho motion of Archdeacon Mules av;is adopted Avith certain A'crbal alterations necessary to enable it to be embodied in the petition to the Legislature. — The debate Avas then resumed, but finally an adjournment Avas agreed to on the motion of the Bishop of Duncdin, to allow him to bring up a scheme for the distribution of the petition throughout the dioceses. The Synod rose at 11.30.